The lawyer goes to the library

Some background: My mom and I have a nickname for Destroy. We call him the lawyer. He is an impressive bargainer and manipulator and he has some serious stamina when it comes to talking his way into something that he wants. Or trying to prolong bedtime for example. He also has amazing charisma and persuasion. It also helps that he is a 4-year-old with a wide vocabulary and the ability to pull out the puppy eyes when needed. Unfortunately, this doesn't work with his mother who has long since discovered these "gifts" and will not give in.

A couple of weeks ago Destroy accidentally broke a library DVD. I reamed him about it because he knows that kids aren't supposed to touch the DVDs in our house (which is why we have a TV cabinet with a lock). I told him that they were going to charge us a lot for the broken DVD because they always jack up the prices at the library.

A few days later we took the books and the broken DVD back to the library. Interested to see what would happen, I told Destroy that he needed to give the DVD to the librarian and explain what had happened. He enthusiastically ran inside (he wasn't remorseful about the situation) and went up to the circulation desk as Search and I trailed behind him.

He pulls out the puppy eyes and charisma before he says, "Hi. I accidentally broke Kipper the other day when I was taking it out of the case. I'm really sorry and I feel really bad (lie). I'll try to be more careful next time."

The librarian looks down at him and takes the DVD. She asks me for my library card. After she pulls up my account she says,

"Well, he seemed really sorry about it and he said he would be more careful next time. I'm just going to check it in as damaged materials so you won't have to pay for it". By this time Destroy had run off so he didn't hear her. I was glad for this because I don't want him thinking he can talk his way out of every situation. But of course I was very happy that we didn't have to pay the jacked up fee.

Then again yesterday: We were at McDonalds with some friends. I got the kids some fries to share and they had chowed most them when Destroy spilled three or four of them on the floor. Moments later after Destroy had run off to play, I see a McDonald's worker approach him and give him a WHOLE NEW ORDER OF FRIES. When he brought them over to the table I asked him how the heck he got those. He told me that he simply told the McDonald's worker that he spilled his (three) french fries on the floor and that he needed more. And that was that.

Is it simply the age?
Is he already developing characteristics necessary for a law degree a few decades too early?

Either way, I'm kind of into this if it gets us free stuff.

That is, as long as he is oblivious to any contrary outcomes. Which can't be hidden from him forever. This must come to an end... there are no lawyers allowed in this family (no offense Jamieson).